For a "decent" job, it doesn't matter; for the best jobs (or cofounders!), it will be helpful to start off at an elite institution.
The most important qualification for getting a job at a place where you can be happy as a software engineer is the ability to quickly write short programs at the whiteboard while your interviewer looks on and takes notes. You'll be given a problem statement and expected to identify an efficient combination of basic datastructures and algorithms to reach a solution on the way to writing down the code and discussing its correctness and the merits and demerits of the choices you made. You really don't want to work at a company that thinks a formal credential is more important than actual ability.
The reputation of your school doesn't matter much outside of first-rate software companies, where it will be helpful but not necessary to have a top-5 school on your resume.
Having said that, a major benefit at a strong school is that you'll be among the people who wind up working at all the best companies. It's good to learn and work with talented/motivated/smart people, and it will be easy to choose good internships and good prospective employers because you'll know so many people with first-hand knowledge of each place.
for the best jobs (or cofounders!), it will be helpful to start off at an elite institution.
FWIW, I not only attended a state university, but I also dropped out of it, and still managed to co-found a few successful companies. I'm not sure what the parenthetical "or cofounders" is supposed to mean, since customers of most businesses don't typically ask for a CV.
Well, I can see where you come from. A lot of talent is outside these so-called "brand" schools. But then again, I believe it would've been a little harder for you to convince your VC's or even your co-founders to join you than it would've been had you been to a brand school.
This is all IMHO, but I think those "brand" schools help you get your foot into the door, after that its all your hardwork. Also, All the very best with your business!
Comments
Go to Berkeley.
For a "decent" job, it doesn't matter; for the best jobs (or cofounders!), it will be helpful to start off at an elite institution.
The most important qualification for getting a job at a place where you can be happy as a software engineer is the ability to quickly write short programs at the whiteboard while your interviewer looks on and takes notes. You'll be given a problem statement and expected to identify an efficient combination of basic datastructures and algorithms to reach a solution on the way to writing down the code and discussing its correctness and the merits and demerits of the choices you made. You really don't want to work at a company that thinks a formal credential is more important than actual ability.
The reputation of your school doesn't matter much outside of first-rate software companies, where it will be helpful but not necessary to have a top-5 school on your resume.
Having said that, a major benefit at a strong school is that you'll be among the people who wind up working at all the best companies. It's good to learn and work with talented/motivated/smart people, and it will be easy to choose good internships and good prospective employers because you'll know so many people with first-hand knowledge of each place.
for the best jobs (or cofounders!), it will be helpful to start off at an elite institution.
FWIW, I not only attended a state university, but I also dropped out of it, and still managed to co-found a few successful companies. I'm not sure what the parenthetical "or cofounders" is supposed to mean, since customers of most businesses don't typically ask for a CV.
Well, I can see where you come from. A lot of talent is outside these so-called "brand" schools. But then again, I believe it would've been a little harder for you to convince your VC's or even your co-founders to join you than it would've been had you been to a brand school.
This is all IMHO, but I think those "brand" schools help you get your foot into the door, after that its all your hardwork. Also, All the very best with your business!